כֶּ֫תֶר

From the study of Esther 2:17

Range of meaning

Keter appears only in Esther (1:11; 2:17; 6:8). It is probably related to the verb katar, 'surround', and to the Greek kidaris/kitaris, the word Greek writers use for the Persian king's tall upright tiara or turban. Malkhut means 'royalty, kingship, reign'. Together they mean 'the royal headdress'.

Against the English

'Royal crown' is a fair translation, but English readers picture a gold circlet with points. A Persian headdress was more likely a tall cloth or felt tiara, perhaps wrapped with a band. The exact form is uncertain.

How it drifted

Medieval and modern European crowns shape what English readers imagine.

Used elsewhere in the period

In 1:11 Vashti was summoned 'with the keter malkhut' to show her beauty, and refused. In 6:8 Haman asks for a horse with 'a keter malkhut on its head'. Greek writers (e.g. Xenophon, Cyropaedia 8.3.13) describe the Persian king's upright tiara, and Persian reliefs show royal headdresses. Standard Hebrew words for a crown elsewhere are 'atarah and nezer. The Septuagint here has diadēma, 'diadem'.

From the study of Esther 1:11

Range of meaning

A royal headdress or crown. In the Hebrew Bible it occurs only three times, all in Esther: Vashti's crown (1:11), the crown set on Esther's head (2:17), and the royal crown in Haman's planned honours (6:8). It is probably related to the root k-t-r, 'to surround'. Many scholars connect it with the Greek kidaris/kitaris, which Greek writers use for the tall Persian royal headdress or tiara.

Against the English

'Crown' is accurate as a symbol of royal rank. But English readers tend to picture a European gold circlet with jewels, while the Persian royal headdress was more likely a tall cap or turban-like tiara, possibly with a band.

How it drifted

Medieval and modern European regalia shaped the image of a 'crown'. In later Jewish Hebrew, keter also became the standard word for any crown, as in 'crown of Torah' and 'crown of kingship'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Esther only in the Hebrew Bible. Greek writers describe the Persian king's kidaris (e.g. Curtius Rufus 3.3.19, Plutarch). In later rabbinic Hebrew keter is common, as in Mishnah Avot 4:13, 'three crowns'.